Chapter One Hundred Forty-Five: Leo's Love
Leo had never been interested in romance.
Lina had noticed it when he was young. While other boys his age were crushing on classmates and celebrities, Leo was reading books about black holes. While other teenagers were going on dates and falling in love, Leo was in his room, taking notes, preparing for his future.
Lina had wondered if he would ever find someone. She had worried, sometimes, that he would be alone.
But she had learned not to push. She had learned that Leo would find his own path, in his own time.
And now, it seemed, that time had come.
---
Leo brought Maya to Sunday dinner.
Lina had known Maya for years. She was the quiet girl who had sat in the back of the classroom, afraid to speak. She was the loyal friend who had stood by Lily through everything. She was the constant presence who had become like a daughter to Lina.
But this was different.
This time, Maya was holding Leo's hand.
Lina looked at Ethan. Ethan looked at Lina.
"Are you two...?" Lina asked.
Leo nodded. "We're together."
Maya smiled. "We've been together for a while. We wanted to wait before telling anyone."
Lina's eyes filled with tears.
"Why?" she asked.
Leo shrugged. "We wanted to be sure."
Maya squeezed his hand. "We're sure."
---
Dinner was different.
Leo talked more than usual. Maya laughed more than usual. They looked at each other the way people in love look at each other—softly, secretly, like they were sharing a language no one else could understand.
Lina watched them and felt her heart swell.
She had waited so long for this. She had hoped so hard for this.
And now it was here.
---
After dinner, Lina found Maya in the garden.
They sat on the bench, looking at the stars.
"I'm happy for you," Lina said.
Maya turned to look at her. "Thank you."
"I've always thought of you as a daughter. Now you really will be."
Maya's eyes filled with tears.
"I've always thought of you as a mother," she said. "Even before Leo."
Lina took her hand.
"Then we're family," she said. "In every way that matters."
Maya squeezed her hand.
"We are," she said.
---
Lina found Leo in his room.
He was sitting on his bed, holding a book, not reading it.
"Are you okay?" Lina asked, sitting beside him.
Leo nodded. "I'm happy."
"I can see that."
Leo was quiet for a moment. "I didn't think I would find someone. I didn't think I wanted to."
Lina waited.
"But Maya understands me," he said. "She doesn't try to change me. She doesn't expect me to be someone I'm not."
Lina put her arm around him.
"That's what love is," she said. "Finding someone who sees you. All of you. And loves you anyway."
Leo leaned into her.
"I love her," he said.
Lina's eyes filled with tears.
"I know, baby," she said. "I know."
---
The family celebrated.
The penthouse was filled with people—Victoria and Victor and Katherine, David and his half-siblings, Lily and Jake and Grace, Emily and Hope, friends and neighbors and the particular chaos of a family that had something to celebrate.
Maya sat beside Leo, her hand in his.
Lily hugged her brother. "I'm so happy for you."
Leo hugged her back. "Thank you."
Lily looked at Maya. "You're my sister now. You always were. But now it's official."
Maya's eyes filled with tears.
"I always wanted a sister," she said.
Lily pulled her into her arms.
"Now you have one," she said.
---
Lina stood in the kitchen, watching her family.
Ethan came up behind her and put his arms around her waist.
"They're growing up," he said.
Lina leaned into him. "They are."
"Are you ready?"
Lina thought about the question.
"I'm not ready," she said. "But I'm learning."
Ethan kissed her cheek.
"That's all any of us can do," he said.
---
That night, after everyone had gone home, Lina sat on the couch with Ethan.
The penthouse was quiet. The twins were grown. Grace was asleep. Leo was in love.
"How do you feel?" Ethan asked.
"Full," Lina said. "Not from the food. From... everything. From watching them. From seeing them shine."
Ethan put his arm around her. "They get it from you."
"Get what?"
"The shining. The confidence. The ability to love and be loved."
Lina leaned into him. "They get it from you too."
"Maybe. Or maybe they get it from themselves. Maybe they're just who they're supposed to be."
Lina thought about that.
She thought about Leo, the scientist. Maya, the artist. Both of them perfect, just as they were.
"I can't wait to see who they become," Lina said.
Ethan kissed her forehead.
"Neither can I," he said.
---
End of Chapter One Hundred Forty-Five